The Best American Sports Writing 2017

For a quarter century, the annual Best American Sports Writing has showcased the greatest sports journalism of the previous year. This year’s guest editor, acclaimed author Howard Bryant, continues the tradition, seeking out writing that best captures the unpredictable journey of sports. Triumphantly and painfully, these stories reflect on that journey, asking difficult questions about who we are, as individuals and as a nation: What does it mean when a football player takes a knee during the national anthem, who decides where the remains of an American legend should rest, and how far will people go to reclaim dreams that have long slipped away? Spanning different sports, disciplines, and styles, these pieces are, above all, inspirational to readers, writers, and athletes around the world, proof of the bonds and breaking points that exist between and within us all.

In a year where sports and culture collided, what stories defined our national conversation?
Athlete Activism & Social Justice: Go beyond the headlines of Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to explore the complex history of protest and the fight for justice in sports.A Legend’s Final Chapter: Witness the passing of Muhammad Ali and unpack the ongoing fight over the final resting place of another American legend, Jim Thorpe.The Dark Side of Sports: From the secret history of Tiger Woods to the cautionary tale of William “Refrigerator” Perry, these pieces reveal the staggering price of fame.The Best Sports Writing of the Year: Curated by guest editor Howard Bryant, this collection features unforgettable long-form journalism from the pages of The New Yorker, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and more.